Mixed Start to Lagos LG Elections: Delays in Yaba, Early Voting in Ajeromi-Ifelodun
The 2025 local to government elections in Lagos State kicked off on Saturday, July 12, with a mix of early successes and concerning delays across polling units, as over six million registered voters were expected to participate in selecting chairmen and councillors for the state’s 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.
In Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, voting commenced relatively early in several polling units. At Ward B, materials were seen arriving as early as 8:00 a.m., with some units already welcoming voters by 8:30 a.m. However, at Polling Unit 002, while materials were on site by 8:30 a.m., voting was yet to begin by 9:12 a.m. due to the delayed setup process. Voters, nonetheless, remained calm and organized, waiting for the officials to finalize arrangements. Security personnel were also seen at the scene, maintaining order.
The experience in Yaba Local Council Development Area, particularly Ward C, was less smooth. Several polling units reported a lack of electoral materials and officials well past the scheduled start time. At Polling Unit 046, there was no sign of election officers or voting materials as of 8:58 a.m. Similarly, at PU 027, party agents were present, but officials were yet to arrive, leaving the voting process stalled. In PU 023, electoral officials only began preparing the polling station around the same time, despite the early presence of security agents.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had earlier assured that all logistics were in place for a credible election. According to LASIEC, sensitive materials were distributed early Saturday morning, while non-sensitive items were deployed well in advance.
The commission also confirmed the use of card readers for voter accreditation, aimed at improving transparency.
In spite of these efforts, the disparity in preparedness across various polling units has raised fresh concerns. Civic groups, including Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), had already flagged LASIEC’s preparations as inadequate, citing poor voter education, delayed publicity, limited stakeholder engagement, and logistical lapses. EiE also warned of potential legal issues regarding the timetable and voter roll.
The elections are being contested by 15 registered political parties. However, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) revealed it was unable to field candidates due to unresolved internal disputes and complications related to INEC registration timelines.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier urged Lagos residents to come out en masse to exercise their franchise, calling the local council election a crucial opportunity for grassroots participation in governance.
As voting continues throughout the day, observers and residents alike are watching closely to see whether the situation stabilizes or if further disruptions will mar the integrity of the process. While some communities were off to a steady start, others remained mired in delays, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a seamless democratic exercise.
